Paille: Hit was shoulder-to-shoulder

WILMINGTON -- After learning Friday morning that he had been suspended for four games following his blindside hit on Stars forward Raymond Sawada, Bruins forward Daniel Paille expressed hope that the player is alright but defended the hit.

"It was a fast-paced play. I just recognized that Sawata was going on a breakaway, and I just went over to backcheck and get the puck, but he cut back to the middle," Paille said following Bruins' practice Friday. "If you look the play, I'm ahead of him when I hit him, and I felt that I hit his shoulder at that moment. Looking at the replay I felt that he kind of turned towards me so I wouldn't my check. I felt that I hit him in the the shoulder at first."

Rule 48, implemented following Matt Cooke's blindside hit on Bruins center Marc Savard last March, states that "a lateral or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted."

"Obviously with Rule 48 and the sensitivity it's [caused] around the league, it's sensitive and I know that it's something that someone has to [be made] and example of, and it happened to be me," Paille said. "Right now, though I don't agree with the amount of games, I accept it and and just going to focus now on being ready to come back."

"I was expecting a suspension for sure, but possibly two games. I was a bit shocked at the amount, but I'll just learn to accept it right now. I hope that Ray is alright. As of right now I heard that he does not have a concussion, which is something that I'm glad he doesn't have."

Following Thursday's game, teammate Andrew Ference didn't hide his thoughts on the play, calling it a "bad hit" and saying the Bruins would be "hypocrites" if they were to defend it. Paille didn't seem to mind the line of thinking throughout the locker room, respecting his teammates' opinions.

"I think that to who said it, if that's what they see, that's their opinion, but for me, I felt that it was a clean hit. It's too bad, I know that most of the guys in the room would disagree with that. … It's understandable with how the issue is right now with those types of hits, but I know that a lot of the guys on the team here know me and understand me and agree with me.

"Just looking at the replay over and over I see the shoulder hitting the shoulder and then just kind of tagging along. I won't focus too much on those guys and just get the support from everyone else."

Greg and Chris talk with Mike Reiss from ESPN Boston in hour 2 of NFL Sunday to discuss a variety of offseason happenings with the Pats and throughout the league. Greg and Chris also get into the NFL Draft and where Mariota and Winston will go.

Mike Reiss calls the guys to talk about the offseason news for the Pats. He talks about the Pats/Jets tampoering fiasco, free agency, where he sees Ridley and Connolly ending up, if the Patriots would be interested in Reggie Wayne and more.

In the first hour of the show, Greg and Chris discuss the news coming out of the owners' meetings this week and rule changes. Belichick's blow-up over the league not wanting to spend on endzone cameras was well documented and the guys react. They also talk about the Jets ridiculous tampering charges, free agents still lingering out there, where Stevan Ridley will land and the RB position in New England. Dickerson and Price briefly discuss the adventures of Tom Brady before being joined by WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia to talk all things Pats in the offseason.

Flannery joins Mut to break down the Isaiah Thomas trade to Boston and what it means for the Celtics this season and in the future. Paul also chats with Mut about the other deals that happened at the NBA's trading deadline

Mut, Tomase, and Bradford kick things off talking about Shane Victorino taking offense to people reading into some comments he made about trading for Cole Hamels. They also discuss Blake Swihart and how soon he could be up if Christian Vazquez starts the season on the DL.

Joe Kelly joined the Hot Stove show where he talked about being ready for his next spring training start after a biceps ailment forced him out of his last outing, he talks about his NCAA brackets and how teammate Wade Miley has a perfect bracket still.

Peter Chiarelli joined the Sunday Skate crew to talk about the Bruins playoff push heading into the final handful of games of the regular season. Chiarelli talked about avoiding some of the overly negative feedback he gets while realizing that the team does have real issues. He discusses what went down at the trade deadline and if he was happy with the outcome, Lucic having a down year and underperforming, the salary cap and if he considers it as big of an issue as it's been made out to be and what the future holds for the team.

It's a big hour #2 for the Sunday Skate dudes - they talk about the B's defenseman and what the future looks like at that position, with both moves the team can make and younger guys in the AHL. They also get into the Bruins philosophy on bringing guys up and sending them back down and how players deal with that. Finally, the boys are joined by Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli to discuss EVERYTHING.

The Sunday Skate crew gets the show going discussing the Bruins big, impressive victory over the NY Rangers yesterday. What can you take from that game? According to LB - Lyndon Byers - who called the guys from the road, not a lot. LB drops a dime on what was going on with the Rangers yesterday. DJ and Joe discuss Claude's lines and groupings and the importance of Ryan Spooner. They also get into Lucic, his contributions this year and if he can turn things around.

With the Wells report seemingly wrapping up (we hope), Tim and Lou got to talking about possible fines and punishments the Patriots must face. It's possible that the Patriots will face a small fine, but should they take that laying down? The conversation brings out a little passion from BOTH sides.